The Labor enquirer., 1887-07-16

mining and iron districts Is the best
proof that Socialism has taken firm, root
in England-the cradle of modern capi-
talism, and let us hope it may belts cof-
fin also.
Some time ago I delivered series Of
addresses in over thirty large towns in
England, including Reading, Bedford,
Oxford, Sheffield, Nottingham, Leicester,
Manchester, Blackburn, Lancaster. Leeds,
Bradford, Hull, Norwich and Newcastle.
Everywhere the people seemed ripe for
the Socialist movement. They felt and
acknowledged that the Socialists had .
message of truth and hope for them
which no other party had the least idea Of.
In Scotland anongsts the miners, iron
workers and cloth weavers found still
better feeling than in England.
The agitation against the landlords
headed by Henry George has given a
great impetus to the Socialist movement
-and this agitation was strongest in
Scotland. The agitation turned the peo-
from the merely political to the economic
aspect of the social question. The argu-
ment used by Henry George against the
landlords we're easily extended to the cap
italists also. Henry Georges proposition
of course was totally impracticable and
useless anyhow, but people listened to his
arguments and never hooded his PROPOSE
tion. The Henry George movement has
met tho fate that will befall all halfway
movements. It has broken up; small
part Of it has gone back with frightened
countenance to the feeble radicalism from
whence it sprung, tho largest part and
the genuine elements have gone beyond
their master (who is now following them
at distance) and become Socialists, and
the whole public mind has felt the bene-
At Of healthy and vigorous exposure Of
the evils of modern society and a further
incentive to work for the cure Of that evil.
In Scotland as elsewhere We Socialists ara
reaping the first fruits Of this work.
But it is in the north of England that
the greatest advances have been made. In
January over 10000 Northumberland
miners went on strike against proposed
reduction Of their already small wages.
The strike committee of the Socialist
League at once sent missionaries to sgitate
the men on strike. Members of the So
cialist League, Social Democratic Fedora
tion and Fabian Society visited the place
and expounded the Socialist doctrines.
For three months several meetings were
held in different parts of the country
every day. The miners listened eagerly
and showed the greatest enthusiasm. One
mass meeting attended by over 10000
men in Northumberland endorsed the So
cialist resolution presented to them.
Since then the strike has ended and tho
miners have been beaten. But though
defeated they are not disgraced. During
the past twelve years they have suffered q
reduction of 46 per cent in their wages,
and the last reduction was only enforced
after the men had made a magnificent and
determined stand against it. They were
told by the masters that the reduction
was inevitable, and the Socialists told
them why it was inevitable and showed
the only path to system which would So
cure to them the full fruits Of their labor.
Branches Of the North Of England So
cialist Federation are being vigorously
organized over the whole of that district
and Socialism will soon be power exoit-
ing the hopes of the people and the fears
of their enemies.
The great drawback to the Socialist
movement is the existence of a number
Of rival organizations. There is grow
ing feeling that these must be amalga-
mated ON broad and sound revolutions.
ry political platform. But this subject
will treat in my next letter.
j. L. MAHoN.
NHwoAsrLE ON TYNY. ENGLAND.